HelpFAQJoin UsSign In

Player Guide for Beginners and Intermediate Players

This guide is here to help new and developing players feel confident stepping on the ice. Whether you’re brand new or just brushing up, this page covers the rules, flow, and drop‑in etiquette used in our beginner and intermediate sessions.

Most importantly: this is a learning environment. Ask questions, make mistakes, and have fun.

Core Rules (The Ones You’ll See the Most)

Offsides (The Simple Version)

  • The puck must be the first thing to cross into the offensive zone.
  • If any player enters the zone before the puck, the play is offsides.
  • If offsides happens, everyone must clear the zone (both skates out) before re‑entering — this is called tagging up.
  • Touching the puck while offsides will stop play.

If you’re unsure whether you’re onside, hold up for half a second. Waiting is always better than stopping play.

For a more in-depth guide on Offsides, please see this article.

Icing

  • Icing is called when the puck is shot from behind the red line and crosses the far goal line without being touched.
  • If there is clear effort to skate or play the puck, icing may be waved off.
  • Beginner games are usually a bit more forgiving, but icing is still part of the game.

Hand Passes

  • A hand pass occurs when a player uses their hand to direct the puck to a teammate.
  • Hand passes are not allowed, except:
    • A player may catch or knock the puck down and play it themselves.
  • If a hand pass goes directly to a teammate, play will be stopped.

If the puck hits your hand accidentally, just let it fall and play it — don’t bat it to someone else.

Too Many Men on the Ice

  • We usually play 5 skaters + a goalie (5v5).
  • Occasionally games are 4v4.
  • Goalies do not count toward skaters.
  • If an extra player jumps on early, play may be stopped.

If you’re not sure whether it’s your turn to go on — wait.

Faceoffs & Positioning

Faceoffs restart play after a whistle. Knowing where to stand helps keep the game moving.

  • Each team has one center taking the faceoff.
  • All other players must be on their own side of the faceoff dot.
  • Wingers line up outside the circle, not inside it.
  • Defensemen stay behind their wingers, closer to the blue line.

If you’re unsure where to stand, ask a teammate or the ref before the puck drops.

Bench Setup & Line Changes

Bench Orientation

(As viewed from center ice)

  • Dark jerseys use the left bench
  • Light jerseys use the right bench

How Line Changes Work in Drop‑In

  • When you come off the ice, go to the end of the bench line.
  • Your next shift is when you reach the front of that line.
  • Think of it like a rotation or funnel — everyone cycles through evenly.

Bench flow direction:

  • Left bench (Dark): left → right
  • Right bench (Light): right → left

Please don’t skip the line or jump ahead — this keeps ice time fair for everyone.

Changing During Play

  • The safest time to change is when:
    • The puck is deep in the offensive zone, or
    • Play is slowing down and your replacement is clearly ready

Call out “CHANGE!” so teammates know what’s happening.

Bench doors:

  • Players jumping onto the ice should focus on getting into the play.
  • Players on the bench should close the door behind them.
  • Open bench doors are a safety issue — everyone on the bench should help keep them closed.

Jerseys & Teams

  • Bring one dark jersey and one light jersey.
  • Avoid hard‑to‑read or in‑between colors (grey, camo, gradients).
  • If you’re unsure which team you’re on — ask before play starts.

Clarity helps everyone.

Physical Play & Safety

No Fighting

  • This is beginner hockey — fighting is not allowed, period.
  • Dropping gloves, squaring up, or escalating after the whistle is unacceptable.
  • If tensions rise, skate away and let it go.

We’re here to learn, skate, and have fun. Fighting has no place in this environment.

Contact Level

  • This is non‑checking hockey.
  • Accidental contact happens, but:
    • No hitting
    • No boarding
    • No running goalies

If you knock someone down, a quick “you good?” goes a long way.

Stick & Body Positioning

  • Stick‑on‑stick is preferred.
  • Angle players wide instead of reaching from behind.
  • Lift sticks rather than swinging or chopping.

For a more in-depth guide on stick infringements, please see this article.

Goalie Etiquette

  • No whacking at covered pucks.
  • Avoid crashing the crease.
  • Stop short when possible.
  • If a goalie freezes the puck, don’t poke at it.

Goalies are volunteering to get shot at — treat them well.

For more information on how to treat your goalie, please see this article.

Whistles & Game Flow

  • When the whistle blows:
    • Stop skating hard
    • No extra shots
    • Return the puck to the ref or nearest player
  • Clearing the zone is simple:
    • Off the glass and out is perfectly fine
    • Fancy plays are optional

Communication & Culture

Talk on the Ice

  • Call for passes
  • Say “TIME” or “MAN ON”
  • Point, talk, and help each other

Ask Questions

  • This is a learning environment, especially at the beginner level.
  • No one expects you to know everything.
  • If you’re unsure about a rule, rotation, or positioning — ask.

Everyone here learned the same way.

← Back to help center